Syracuse University permanently expels fraternity over 'extremely racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic' video
Syracuse University permanently expelled the Theta Tau fraternity from its campus after multiple racist and anti-Semitic videos of the frat members surfaced on the website of the college's student newspaper, the Daily Orange, last week. The videos showed the fraternity members using derogatory language and racial slurs, reports state.
The University Chancellor, Kent Syverud, made the announcement on Saturday through a video to faculty and students.
"The racist, anti-Semitic, homophobic, ableist and sexist video was part of a Theta Tau sponsored event. Syracuse University is a place for people that come from all backgrounds," Syverud added.
The engineering fraternity was initially suspended after the university procured the videos the members had shared on a private Facebook group. The videos showed the fraternity members reciting anti-Semitic and racist chants, according to reports.
A member reportedly said: "I solemnly swear to always have hatred in my heart for n-----rs, sp*cs and most importantly the f--kin’ k-kes." He made the statement referring to blacks, Hispanics and Jews in derogatory terms, according to NBS News.
The Theta Tau also issued a statement, apologizing for the incident, and called the videos "a satirical sketch of an uneducated, racist, homophobic, misogynist, sexist, ableist and intolerant person."
"The young man playing the part of this character nor the young man being roasted do not hold any of the horrible views espoused as a part of that sketch," the fraternity added.
The Daily Orange also mentioned one of the fraternity members, saying: "You f--kin’ k-kes, get in the f--kin’ showers” and another telling someone “he’s drooling out of his mouth because he’s retarded in a wheelchair."
A public forum was organized on Wednesday where several students expressed their outrage at the videos.
The University Chancellor also announced that some students of the fraternity involved in the video would be charged under the university's office of disciplinary action.
"We know this issue extends beyond one fraternity and one video. We have a lot of work to do and concrete steps are more important than any words I speak today," Syverud.
Three other fraternities from the university have already been suspended over issues including racist incidents and hazing.